Northern Pintails: male and female
As we get deeper into autumn we also receive a greater diversity of waterfowl joining us in the Northeast. I wanted to share some photos of male and female Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) that I took last week in the middle of a large flock of Mallard and American Black Duck. Some of them were more interested in mating than anything else making it difficult for the Pintails trying to feed, preen and stretch. I noticed the male first due to its distinctive plumage that always helps it stands out well in a crowd. Northern Pintails are slender birds and males have a long, pointed tail that help...
Read MoreEastern Spiny Softshell Turtle diving
RTPI staff and SUNY interns have been watching our submarine-like friends in the Chadakoin River all weekend, too.
Read MoreEastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera)
Waters are high in Western New York after all the recent rain making Spiny Softshell Turtles harder to find. That was not a problem for Twan today as you can see here. He even noted a few test nesting holes he attributed to work done during the heat last week.
Read MoreLong-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) by Scott Kruitbosch
There’s a reason for the name Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis), one that does not need any explanation. This was one of two individuals at Dunkirk Harbor (on Lake Erie, NY) today along with thousands of other waterfowl of a couple dozen species. Bald Eagles perched on the ice and flying overhead keep them all very attentive. It’s a spectacle.
Read MoreCanvasback (Aythya valisineria) by Twan Leenders
The bright and deep red eyes of the Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) are really something to see (no pun intended) up close like this. After such a cold winter for much of the U.S. it’s a great time to check your local ponds and lakes for any open water to enjoy respectfully close views of ducks, geese, gulls, loons, grebes and more. This bird was on Lake Erie yesterday. More snow and cold air will keep waterfowl moving in the next week.
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